WILTON -- The television show "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?" has humbled more than a few brilliant minds in its original and syndicated runs.

Now four local "celebrities" will test their mental mettle in that format in a fundraising event for the Wilton Education Foundation next Friday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at The Clune Center at Wilton High School, located at 395 Danbury Road.

Scheduled to take on the trivia question game will be: Kathy Leeds, executive director of the Wilton Library; Kevin Meehan, Cider Mill School science resource teacher and Ambler Farm program and property manager; Jackie Saltarelli, a senior at Wilton High School who is the student government president; and John Wiseman, Wilton High School boys lacrosse coach.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Sal Giaimo, Miller-Driscoll kindergarten teacher and director of "Be A Good Sport" day camp.

The basic format of the show has each contestant answering a maximum of 10 questions culled from the fifth-grade curriculum in subjects that include math, science, social studies, history and grammar.

Contestants are allowed two "cheats" during the game, where they may enlist the help of a fifth-grade student in answering one question at a time. Once the cheats are used up, the contestants are on their own.

"I got involved because (the Wilton Education Foundation) was looking for a fundraiser and was trying to get kids involved, one of the older kids at the high school," Saltarelli said. "A bunch of the moms (with the WEF) know me. At first I was hesitant, and I was worried I was not going to be able to do this. But then I thought it will be funny to be a part of this, and it was nice of them to ask."

Saltarelli said she's seen the show, and has gone online to take some of the quizzes. Her mother has also helped prepare her for the fifth-grade curriculum.

"I'm thinking I have an advantage over the adults because fifth grade was just seven years ago," Saltarelli said. "Although Mr. Meehan is a science specialist at Cider Mill, so he should do well on those questions. My friends are looking forward to sitting in the audience and making fun of me."

No matter how well she does, Saltarelli knows money is being raised for a great cause.

"I've been through all the public schools, and it's really important to give back to the schools and the community," she said. "I'm trying to do that, to give back to a community that has given me so much. Wilton is such a great town, and education, especially, is so important. Kids need to learn, to grow and have opportunities."

Wiseman followed that same line of thinking when he was asked to become a contestant by Kip Smith, chairman of the WEF.

"They asked me," Wiseman said. "Kip Smith is a longtime Wiltonian, and we go way back. We always like to help out where we can and give back to the community. We tell the boys and girls lacrosse teams to participate in charity runs the last two or three years, and this is in line with giving back. We tell the kids to give back and go beyond ourselves. It's not about one person."

Wiseman is a bit concerned about dipping that far back into his memory banks.

"I thought it would be humorous," he said. "My wife, Cindy, TiVo'd the show, and we watched two showings. I better get prepared. These will be questions I haven't thought about in 20 or 30 years."

Smith, who said his son was in the same WHS graduating class with Wiseman, said the idea for "Are You Smarter?" came from a brainstorming session 18 months ago.

"We thought about spelling bees, and someone said 'how about 'Smarter,'" Smith said. "It got going last summer and took hold. It should be a lot of fun. There's been a lot of enthusiasm, and the advance ticket sales have been pretty good."

Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for adults, and $40 per family, and can be purchased in advance at www.wiltoneducationfoundation.org. The prices increase to $15 for students, $20 for adults and $50 for a family at the door. All proceeds of the event will go to Wilton Public Schools.

For more ticket information, contact Patty Connor at shelby27@optonline.net or (203) 761-0163.